Prof. Marcy Zenobi-Wong is a Full Professor at ETH Zurich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology, specializing in biofabrication and tissue engineering. Her research focuses on cartilage regeneration using advanced biomaterials, including nanofilm coatings and 3D printing techniques. She holds patents in tissue engineering and has pioneered methods like filamented light (FLight) biofabrication for creating anisotropic tissues. Her academic journey includes a B.Sc. from MIT (1985), M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Stanford (1987, 1990), followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan. She leads the Biofabrication Group at ETH, developing therapies for joint repair and regenerative medicine. Courses taught include Biomedical Engineering and Materials and Mechanics in Medicine . Research highlights include engineered hydrogels for cartilage protection, CRISPR-driven gene editing in chondrocytes, and biohybrid neural interfaces. Her work bridges material science, cell biology, and clinical applications, with a focus on translational medicine. Collaborative projects involve creating elastic cartilage grafts for microtia reconstruction and volumetric printing of complex tissue constructs.
Gerard A. Ateshian is the Andrew Walz Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University, where he has been a faculty member since 1991. He also served as Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering from 2011 to 2014 and is the founding director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory (MBL), established in 1996. Education: BS (1986), MS (1987), MPhil (1990), and PhD (1991) in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University. Research Interests: Professor Ateshian's research focuses on the mechanics of soft biological tissues , particularly articular cartilage . His work integrates theoretical, experimental, and computational approaches to understand cartilage lubrication, tissue engineering, and growth and remodeling in living tissues. He has extended continuum mechanics frameworks to model complex biological phenomena such as mass transport, osmotic effects, and reactive mechanics in tissue mixtures. His recent efforts include developing open-source computational tools (FEBio) and translating research into clinical treatments for osteoarthritis . Scientific Awards: H.R. Lissner Medal, ASME (2017) OARSI Basic Science Award (2013) Columbia Engineering Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award (2012) Great Teacher Award, Society of Columbia Graduates (2002) YC Fung Young Investigator Award, ASME (1997) Fellow: ASME, BMES, AIMBE Advising and Mentorship: Professor Ateshian has advised numerous PhD students, including recent graduates Vince Sise and Katherine Spack , who completed their dissertations on cartilage fatigue and osteochondral allografts, respectively. His lab actively mentors students from both Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering programs. Laboratory and Collaborations: He directs the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory (MBL) , which collaborates closely with the Cellular Engineering Laboratory of Prof. Clark Hung and with Dr. Jeffrey Weiss at the University of Utah on computational modeling (FEBio). He also collaborates with Columbia University Medical Center faculty on clinical translation of cartilage research.
Bradley D. Olsen is a full professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he leads research at the intersection of polymer science, soft matter physics, and bioengineering. His work focuses on designing materials for critical applications in biotechnology, hemostasis, and sustainable polymer development while advancing fundamental understanding of polymer network mechanics and self-assembly. Education: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of California Berkeley (2007) S.B. in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2003) Olsen's research spans protein-based materials, block copolymer phase behavior, and mechanochemical hydrogels. He has pioneered methods for quantifying polymer network topology, developing hemostatic nanoparticles, and creating bio-inspired materials for selective biomolecular transport and medical applications. His recent publications emphasize data-driven approaches to polymer characterization and educational outreach in materials science. Scientific Awards: American Physical Society (APS) Fellow (2023) Fulbright Amazonia Scholar (2023) Alexander and I. Michael Kasser Chair in Chemical Engineering (2021) ACS Macro Letters Young Investigator Award (2021) MIT Committed to Caring Honor (2019) AIChE Owens Corning Early Career Award (2019) APS Dillon Medal (2018) Kavli Emerging Leader in Chemistry (2017) ACS Polymer Division Fellow (2016) Camille Dreyfus-Teacher Scholar (2015) Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow (2014) NSF Career Grant (2013) NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship (2008-2009) Hertz Fellow (2003-2007) Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (2002) Olsen has received significant grant support including NSF Career (2013) and AFOSR (2012) awards. His teaching activities include innovative international outreach like the 2025 soccer-themed science camp in Brazil. The Olsen Group at MIT explores advanced materials with applications ranging from trauma care to sustainable polymers.
Rainer Haag is a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, leading the Haag Group in the Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His research focuses on biodegradable and sustainable materials, dynamic hydrogels, and polymeric nanosystems for biomedical applications. Department of Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin Member of SFB 1449: Dynamic Hydrogels at Biointerfaces Collaborator in the StemGel startup project Co-founder of CSR|Berlin interdisciplinary research institute Research Interests: Development of stimuli-responsive polymers, multivalent virus inhibitors, and functional biointerfaces. Key projects include: Antiviral coatings using heteromultivalent polymers Thermoresponsive hydrogels for stem cell expansion Graphene derivatives for bacterial capture and disinfection Lignin upcycling for sustainable resin materials Supramolecular nanosystems for drug delivery Publication Trends highlight interdisciplinary work in polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, and biomedical applications. Recent articles focus on: 2D polyglycerols for virus interactions Redox-responsive nanogels Mucus-inspired adhesive hydrogels Tumor-targeting micelles Bacterial disinfection using graphene composites Labs & Collaborations include the Polymeric and Supramolecular Nanosystems subgroup, the Dynamic Hydrogels and Biointerfaces team, and partnerships with MIT in developing bioinspired adhesives. His group contributes to DFG-funded SFB 1449 and CSR|Berlin initiatives.
Burak Ozdoganlar is a Ver Planck Endowed Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Associate Director of the Engineering Research Accelerator. He holds courtesy faculty positions in Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering. Ozdoganlar earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan (1999), M.S. degrees from Ohio State University (1993, 1995), and a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University (1991). Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan (1999) MS, Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University (1995) MS, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Ohio State University (1993) BS, Aeronautical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University (1991) Ozdoganlar’s research focuses on multi-scale manufacturing processes (macro/micro/nano), precision engineering , structural dynamics , and modal testing , with applications in biomedical device fabrication , microneedle arrays , soft electronics , and 3D ice printing for vascular networks. His work bridges computational modeling with experimental validation. Recent scientific awards include the 2023 AIMBE College of Fellows induction, ASME Fellow (2019), and NSF CAREER Award (2006). He served as interim CTO of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute and chaired the ASME-MED Manufacturing Equipment Technical Committee. Ozdoganlar leads projects in scalable manufacturing for implantable medical devices , bioelectric medicine , and wearable robotics . His lab develops 3D ice-printed vascular templates for tissue engineering and liquid metal circuits for soft electronics, funded by institutions like the Manufacturing Futures Institute and ARPA-H.
Houman Savoji is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal. He is also a full-time researcher at the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center and principal investigator in regenerative medicine, organs-on-chip, and bioprinting at TransMedTech Institute. Dr. Savoji received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal in 2016. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto. His research expertise combines advanced manufacturing technologies (micro- and nano-fabrication, 3D bioprinting, microfluidics, cell electrospinning) with functional and composite materials for applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and organs-on-chip. His work focuses on the design, development, optimization, implementation, and characterization of innovative functional biomaterials using emerging engineering technologies, with particular emphasis on cardiac tissue engineering and biomimetic pulmonary heart valves for pediatric patients. Dr. Savoji has published extensively on biomaterials, tissue engineering, 3D bioprinting, and organ-on-chip technologies. His recent publications demonstrate expertise in viscoelastic characterization of soft tissues, engineering immune responses to biomaterials, ceramic engineering for biomedical applications, and advanced 3D bioprinting techniques for cardiac and vascular tissue engineering. 2017-2020, Postdoctoral Research Grant, CIHR 2017-2019, Postdoctoral Research Grant, FRQNT 2017-2018, Human Society of International Grant, Human Toxicity Assessment Project 2016, CR-CHUM Research Center Award 2015, Star Student-Researcher Award, FRQNT 2014-2015, Jane and Frank Warchol Fellowship, Society of Vacuum Coaters Foundation 2013, Institute of Textile Science Award 2012-2015, Excellence Doctoral Scholarship for Foreign Students, FRQNT Dr. Savoji has supervised Master's students including Ines Barrakad (2024) working on 'Advanced manufacturing technologies versus molding of corneal implants: 3D printing vs molding of a Keratoprosthesis' and Zineb Ajji (2023) researching 'Development of perfusable patches by 3D bioprinting for potential application in cardiac tissue regeneration.' He has secured numerous research grants from organizations including CIHR, NSERC, FRQNT, FRQS, MITACS, and others for projects related to 3D bioprinting of cardiac tissues, biomimetic heart valves, and other tissue engineering applications. The Savoji Laboratory, located within the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and Institute of Biomedical Engineering of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montreal, the Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine (CHUSJ), and the TransMedTech Institute, focuses on multidisciplinary research involving 3D bioprinting using stem-cell derived human cardiac cells to fabricate functional cardiac tissues for transplantation and drug discovery applications.
Dr. Christina Allen is a Professor of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation at Yale School of Medicine, where she serves as Chief of Yale Sports Medicine and Vice Chair of Athletic Medicine and Community Outreach. She is the Orthopaedic Team Physician for Yale Athletics and has extensive experience with U.S. national teams, including U.S. Soccer and USA Taekwondo. Education: BS in Biomedical Engineering, Duke University (1983); MD, UCLA School of Medicine (1995) Training: Orthopaedic Residency and Sports Medicine Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh Research Interests focus on: Revision ACL reconstruction outcomes and predictors Meniscus transplantation and cartilage repair Proximal hamstring avulsion repair Quantitative MRI for joint kinematics and cartilage changes Post-ACL revision infection risk factors Scientific Awards include: Kappa Delta Ann Doner Vaughn Award (2019) NIH R01 Competitive Renewal Grant (2017) AOSSM O’Donoghue Award (2014) Clinical Roles span: Team physician for U.S. Soccer (Women's/Men's National Teams) Former team physician for San Francisco Deltas (NASL Champions 2017) Medical Board member, World Taekwondo (London Olympics 2012, Rio Olympics 2016) Publications highlight a 20-year longitudinal focus on: Machine learning models for surgical outcome prediction Graft choice impact on revision ACL longevity Cartilage degeneration after meniscectomy Biomechanical MRI analysis of joint kinematics Infection rates in revision surgeries Return-to-sport protocols for athletes
Nonappa Nonappa is an Associate Professor (tenure track) in Nanochemistry at Tampere University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences since 2020. With a multidisciplinary background spanning organic chemistry, supramolecular systems, nanoparticle self-assembly, and advanced electron microscopy, he leads research at the intersection of materials science and biomedical applications. PhD in Organic Chemistry (IISc Bangalore, 2008) Docent in Soft Matter Microscopy (Aalto University, 2017) Executive MBA (Quantic School, 2020) Research focuses on bio-based optical materials using nanocellulose for sustainable photonics, breast cancer models via lab-on-a-chip systems, and precision nanomaterials through tailored self-assembly mechanisms. His team develops 3D extracellular matrices for cancer tissue culture and plasmonic nanodevices for photonic applications. Recent publications highlight gold/silver nanocluster assemblies (43+ citations in 2021-2025), electron tomography for structural analysis, and metastasis modeling systems. Key awards include Italy's Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale (2018) and Aalto University's Docent title (2017).
Professor Hala Zreiqat AM is a leading biomedical engineer at The University of Sydney , serving as the Director of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering . A Fellow of all major Australian academies (AAS, ATSE, FAHMS, FRSN), she develops 3D printed bioceramics for bone regeneration while championing diversity through initiatives like the IDEAL Society and BIOTech Futures mentorship program. Her work bridges academia, clinical practice, and industry in musculoskeletal research . Research Focus: Her lab creates synthetic bone scaffolds that mimic natural bone architecture, strength, and porosity, enabling non-rejected bone regeneration via patient-matched implants. Key applications include orthopaedic, dental, and maxillofacial repair , with over $18M in competitive funding and multiple patents. Current projects explore AI-driven scaffold performance prediction and anti-senescence strategies for aging-related bone loss. Scientific Trends: Recent publications highlight 3D printed nanovoxelated ceramics , antisenescence biomaterials , and multifunctional theranostic platforms . Her team integrates machine learning for scaffold design, atom probe tomography for interface analysis, and two-photon imaging for cellular monitoring in 3D environments. 2021-2022 Fulbright Senior Scholar 2018 NSW Premier's Woman of the Year 2019 Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology Fellow of Australian Academy of Science (2021) Over $18M in research funding Teaching & Leadership: She designed core courses like Tissue Engineering and Nanomaterials in Medicine , mentoring 158 students in 2020 alone. As Chair of CAAR (2020-2023), she strengthens Australia-Arab collaborations. Her lab trains early-career researchers , with alumni now in academia and industry.
Anastassios Karistinos, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. He holds clinical roles at Ben Taub Hospital, Baylor Clinic, and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Karistinos completed his medical degree (MD) at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1993), followed by residency at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (2005) and a fellowship in Advanced Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine (2005). His professional interests focus on complex musculoskeletal conditions including multi-ligament knee injuries, meniscal transplantation, cartilage restoration techniques (OATS, ACI), knee osteotomies, shoulder instability, rotator cuff injuries, and shoulder arthroplasty. He emphasizes patient safety and critical evaluation of emerging medical technologies, prioritizing evidence-based treatments. Dr. Karistinos is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in both Orthopaedic Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and specializes in sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, and trauma care. His research integrates anatomical insights with clinical outcomes to improve surgical techniques and patient recovery processes.
Julie C. Liu is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Purdue University, with a courtesy appointment in Biomedical Engineering. She joined Purdue in 2008 and holds a B.S.E. from Princeton University, M.S. and Ph.D. from Caltech, and completed a postdoc at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Her research focuses on protein-based biomaterials for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and surgical adhesives, with a particular emphasis on recombinant proteins and natural matrix molecules like collagen and hyaluronic acid. Key awards include the Purdue Faculty Scholar (2019-2024), ELATES Fellowship (2019), and Outstanding Mentor Award (2018). Her work has been funded by NSF, NIH, and industry grants. She advises multiple graduate and undergraduate students, mentoring over 20 researchers. Her lab collaborates on outreach, including Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, reaching 500+ students since 2014. Liu’s lab designs biomaterials with tailored properties for cartilage repair, drug testing models, and adhesives. Recent advances include mussel-inspired adhesives and redox-responsive hydrogels. She leads a team focused on translational biomedical innovations, bridging engineering and clinical applications.
Dr. Darryl Dickerson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Florida International University (FIU), part of the College of Engineering. His research focuses on mechanical characterization of biological interfaces, design of bioinspired materials, and advancing inclusive engineering education practices. He holds a Ph.D. (details not explicitly provided in text). Research Interests: Dr. Dickerson’s work bridges biomechanics and biomaterials engineering with social equity in education. Key areas include: Mechanical properties of biological interfaces (e.g., bone-cartilage junctions) Development of biomaterials for tissue repair using 3D printing and electrospinning Anti-marginalization strategies in engineering education, particularly for Black and Brown students Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes dual themes: (1) Biomedical innovation through advanced material fabrication and (2) Inclusive pedagogy addressing systemic inequities in STEM education. Notable contributions include scaffold designs for osteochondral repair and frameworks for reducing microaggressions in team-based learning. Grants and Advising: No specific grants or advisees listed in the provided text. His work appears to be grant-funded through NIH/National Science Foundation pathways common in biomaterials and education research. Labs and Teams: While not explicitly stated, his research likely involves collaborations with FIU’s Center for Engineering and Computing’s diversity initiatives and biomaterials labs focusing on tissue engineering applications.
Nadia Shardt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her research focuses on interfacial thermodynamics, particularly in systems with nanoscale curvature, with applications spanning atmospheric science, biomedical cryopreservation, and industrial process optimization. She contributes to teaching courses such as TKP4580 - Chemical Engineering Specialization Project and KP3100 - Chemical Engineering . PhD in Chemical Engineering (University of Alberta, 2019) BSc in Chemical Engineering (University of Alberta, 2015) Postdoctoral researcher at ETH Zurich (2020-2022) Her work addresses fundamental challenges in phase behavior under curvature constraints, combining microfluidic experimentation , Gibbsian thermodynamic modeling , and machine learning techniques to study systems like CO 2 storage media, cloud microphysics, and food emulsions. Recent publications emphasize surface tension modeling for complex multi-component systems and cryoprotectant loading efficiency. Scientific awards include the ETH Postdoctoral Fellowship Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Postdoctoral Fellowship Outstanding Academic Fellows Programme 2024-2028
Lara A. Estroff is a Full Professor and the current Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University's College of Engineering. She has been a faculty member since 2005 and served as Director of Graduate Studies from 2015 to 2019. Her academic leadership and research excellence position her at the forefront of bio-inspired materials and biomineralization research. Her educational background includes a B.A. in Chemistry from Swarthmore College (1997) and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Yale University (2003), followed by an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University in the lab of Prof. George M. Whitesides. Dr. Estroff's research centers on the fundamental mechanisms of crystal growth, biomineralization, and pathological mineralization. She investigates how organisms control mineral formation and applies these principles to engineer synthetic materials with complex structures and functionalities. Her work spans biomaterials, tissue engineering, and energy materials—particularly hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites for photovoltaics. She employs advanced characterization techniques and has pioneered in situ methods to monitor crystallization dynamics. Her recent publications reveal a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research, integrating materials science with cancer biology, immunology, and machine learning. The articles emphasize bio-inspired synthesis, mineral-tissue interactions, and the development of functional crystalline materials for medical and energy applications. Faculty Early CAREER Award, National Science Foundation (2009) Fiona Ip Li '78 and Donald Li '75 Excellence in Teaching Award, Cornell College of Engineering (2007) Marilyn Emmons Williams Award, Cornell Undergraduate Research Board (2009) Keynote Speaker, Gordon Research Seminar on Biomineralization (2012) Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Affiliate (2013) Dr. Estroff leads a major DOE-funded project titled “Formulation Engineering of Energy Materials via Multiscale Learning Spirals,” a $3 million, three-year initiative using machine learning to optimize perovskite synthesis for solar cells. She has advised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and her lab is known for fostering collaborative, cross-disciplinary research. She has also contributed to educational initiatives at Cornell, particularly in undergraduate research and materials education. Her research group operates at the intersection of chemistry, engineering, and biology, focusing on high-resolution characterization of biominerals, in situ crystal growth studies, and the design of in vitro models for cell-mineral interactions. The lab actively collaborates with institutions including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Johns Hopkins University.
Molly Maleckar is a Research Professor at the Computational Physiology Department of Simula Research Laboratory , Oslo, Norway. Her work bridges computational modeling, cardiac electrophysiology, and biomedical applications, with a focus on arrhythmia mechanisms, fibrosis modeling, and machine learning integration in cardiac risk prediction. Research Interests include: Computational Cardiology Ion Channel Dynamics Machine Learning in Medicine Excitable Tissue Modeling Cardiac Fibrosis Analysis Biomedical Simulation Scientific Contributions span 15+ publications (2018-2024) addressing atrial fibrillation, calcium handling, and AI-driven ECG analysis. Key collaborative projects involve patient-specific ventricular modeling and educational initiatives like the Simula Summer School in Computational Physiology .
